Finding Time for Friends in A Busy World

Expectations During a Pandemic:

https://www.self.com/story/pandemic-friendship

We all deserve to loosen the expectations of friendship and free ourselves of the guilt of what we “should” be doing as friends. Texts are going to go unanswered, the balance of giving and taking might temporarily tip, and we will not always be able to offer the support we wish we could give. We are in the middle of a literal pandemic. We are all just trying our best.

How to Stay connected During the Pandemic

1. Reach out to that friend that you have not heard from in a few months or years. This is the perfect time to reach out and say hello and check on them.
2. Zoom and FaceTime Calls
3. Game Night or Watch Party on Zoom
4. Driveway Hangout with 6-8 feet apart
5. Ask friends to attend a class or event virtually; then virtually hang out after and talk about it.

How to Make Friends as an Adult

1. Focus on it being a positive experience
2. Pencil it in on your calendar
3. Make a list of potential friends – consider neighbors and co-workers
4. Accept invites
5. Try new things. Go somewhere new alone and talk to people.
6. Social Media
7. Attend a gym and talk to people.
8. Go to networking and meet up events with people with the same interests as you.
9. Join a book club
10. Attend religious events
11. Volunteer at your kids’ school or events

How to Maintain Friendships or Reconnect with Your Friends

1. Reach out to them with a text or call.
2. Do not worry about how long it has been. Be persistent but not pushy. It is a 2-way street.
3. Realize that they may not be the same person and decide if you want to pursue it or not.
4. Realize that you do not have to see each other every day or week or even year, and you can still be friends.
5. Mark it on your calendar- make sure that you make time for friends. Commit to it.
6. Take a minute even when you are tired to meet up for dinner or lunch. You must make the time and sometimes you must be the one to reach out first.
7. Remember to not only talk about the past, but make new memories, too.